Two Hollister servicemen to be honored on Veterans Day

David Lopez and Raymond. Photo by Robert Eliason.

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Cousins David Lopez and Raymond Lopez have been selected as the 2024 Veterans of the Year by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Hollister’s VFW Post 9242. The men will be honored on Nov. 11 during an appreciation ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Building at 11 a.m. and then as participants in the annual Veterans Day Parade on San Benito Street.

“They exemplify a spirit of excellence, consistently going above and beyond to improve the lives of those around them,” said LULAC President Irma Gonzalez. “Their dedication to supporting their community and fellow veterans alike is evident in every initiative they undertake, making a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals.”

Raymond was the first of the cousins to join the service, enlisting in the US Marine Corps in 1996 as an ordinance man. He was stationed in Japan, Australia, Guam, Korea and Thailand, among other places. He served on the USS Constellation, USS Lincoln and USS Stennis and took part in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom before receiving an honorable discharge in 2007.

“I went into the military directly after graduating,” he said. “I believed that I needed some direction, and I thought the military would instill that in me and offer me some guidance because I really didn’t have a path to follow.”

He said that once he joined the fleet, it seemed like a typical job until 9/11, when he could feel the temperature of the work change.

“It was a wake-up call to what we were actually there for,” Raymond said. “It led to an intense work ethic and pushing myself to find out what I was really made of.”

Working on Cobra and Huey helicopters as well as Super Hornet aircraft, Raymond “floated all over the place,” and was called on to support numerous operations in the Middle East, which proved challenging.

“I guess the best way to say it,” he said, was that it was constant movement and constant awareness. “When you first land and put in, you know, your feet in the sand, you knew it was real, and you just entered your generation’s war.”

After two tours, he left the military and eventually returned to Hollister to work at Marich Confectionery. While enjoying the work, his desire for a new challenge led him to enroll at Gavilan College, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Nursing.

“In the military,” he said. “I was serving my country and my family. In nursing, you serve your patients, and your job is helping people. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I don’t, but I’m still trying to help.”

He said the military ethic of service continues to influence his work with patients and his service to the community.

“You bring to the table that work ethic, experience and wisdom,” he said. “It becomes an innate trait; you just continue to want to help people and always try to give back.”

Raymond’s cousin David graduated from San Benito High School in 2000 and enlisted in the US Navy the following year. He served on the USS John C. Stennis and took part in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Initially wanting to join the Marines, he decided to join the Navy to become a medic. He worked the flight deck on the Stennis, fueling all the embarking aircraft.

“That was my day,” he said. “We worked 12-hour shifts, which transitioned into 14-hour shifts, 15-hour shifts every day. When we started combat operations, we were in the ocean for, I think, about three months straight without ever hitting any land.”

Once stationed in the Middle East, the work became even more intense.

“We’d get off work,” David said, “go eat, hit the gym, shower, bed down, get up the next morning and do it all over again. It was just a constant rotation of aircraft. They fly out to do missions. Come back. Refuel, reload weapons, reload bombs and go right back out.”

David said the service gave him a new perspective after coming from high school with little work experience in the civilian world.

“Professionalism,” he said. “Learning how to build that team together. Camaraderie. Dealing with stressful situations at a younger age.”

After his discharge from the military, David worked for the Hollister Fire Department and is currently working as an operations supervisor for American Medical Response.

In his off-time, he works with youth sports programs including Hollister Little League, San Benito Babe Ruth, Rebels Football League and Vikings Football League. He also works with special needs programs such as Challenger Little League and the Bambinos baseball.

David said being in the military helped hone the service-oriented life ingrained in his youth.

“At 15,” he said, “I was volunteering with the American Red Cross, working first aid stations. I was one of the first San Benito County Fire Department Fire Explorers. I’ve always had a sense of just wanting to help however I can.”

Bernie Ramirez, the commander of VFW Post 9242, said the Lopez cousins are hands-on people who always want to get involved and help out.

“They don’t ask or want any recognition at all,” he said. “These gentlemen are always there at the drop of a hat. We had to ensure they were recognized—and there are more like them.”

Veterans Day activities begin at 11 a.m. at the Hollister Veterans Memorial Building (649 San Benito Street), with an appreciation ceremony followed by quilt and banner presentations. A BBQ Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a parade on San Benito Street between Haydon and Fifth Streets. For more information, call 831-638-6434.